In an uncertain economy and uncertain food issues no one knows quite what is going to happen if when and if it will get any better, but we do have options to make things better for us now. If you do not already own these here are a few items you need to purchase for this. You will need a canning pot, this is a large wide pot that will be filled with water to boil for sealing your canning jars. The canning pot comes with a large wire rack that is used to lift and lower your jars into the boiling water easily and safely.
If you do not have one of these or do not want to use one, that is fine. A regular large pot that provides ample room for water and a few jars at a time, with a lid, will work just as well. There are also pressure canning pots that cost more money but it just makes the job quicker. You can also can food in a pressure cooker if you are careful and know what you are doing. You will also need different sizes of canning jars, rings and sills for the jars and some canning or sea salt to add to some of the jars.
Other than that you need nothing but some time to cook and can your food for storage. If you have never canned food before it can be a tricky deal. Sometimes some of the jars will not sill properly and sometimes you will need to add preserving salt while other times not. Canning your own food for long term storage is an art and one that must be perfected if you are going to have food that will last a year on the shelf or pantry.
Besides saving you money canning your own foods will save you from eating harmful preservatives and chemicals and other health deteriorating additives. Food cooked clean and canned at home is the best way to avoid spending money for something that you can do yourself in a day or two. It is also a good way to avoid buying can food from the store that is usually not very healthy, unless it is truly organic or all natural.
To can your own food for long term storage you will need to have the canning jars sterilized in boiling water for one minute and then fill the jars with the food while the jar is still hot. Apply the seal and ring tightly and put the jar in a boiling water bath. The jars of food should sit in the water for about 15 minutes. This should be fine for most foods you will can. The food will cook some but remain fresh otherwise.
Fresh foods such as stir fry vegetables, tomatoes and okra, fresh green beans, or peas and other uncooked foods can be canned for use as well using sea or canning salt and water. Just add the ingredients, the salt, the water and submerge the jar into the boiling water for 10-15 minutes and turn the jar upside down on a flat surface for sealing. Use the jar wire rack to lower and lift the jars into the hot water. Place the hot jars upside down on a flat surface till it cools.
After the jars cool they should seal. If one of the jars should not seal, it is normal to get some that don't, you will need to eat this food or store it in the refrigerator. You can store the canned food on the shelf or pantry for up to a year and sometimes longer. If you are looking to can ready-to-eat foods then you will first need to fully cook the meal and then place it in a jar while the food and jar are still hot. Then just follow the instructions above to can the food for use later.
A pressure canner will make the canning process go quicker and you will have less unsealed jars, but otherwise is not a much needed thing. You can buy your fresh vegetables and other foods in bulk to make your canning experience truly a money saving ordeal or grow your own and can it. February is the month that most green vegetables can be planted!
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